CVE-2026-23201

Medium

In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ceph: fix oops due to invalid pointer for kfree() in parse_longname() This fixes a kernel oops when reading ceph snapshot directories (.snap), for example by simply running `ls /mnt/my_ceph/.snap`. The variable str is guarded by __free(kfree), but advanced by one for skipping the initial '_' in snapshot names. Thus, kfree() is called with an invalid pointer. This patch removes the need for advancing the pointer so kfree() is called with correct memory pointer. Steps to reproduce: 1. Create snapshots on a cephfs volume (I've 63 snaps in my testcase) 2. Add cephfs mount to fstab $ echo "[email protected]=/volumes/datapool/stuff/3461082b-ecc9-4e82-8549-3fd2590d3fb6 /mnt/test/stuff ceph acl,noatime,_netdev 0 0" >> /etc/fstab 3. Reboot the system $ systemctl reboot 4. Check if it's really mounted $ mount | grep stuff 5. List snapshots (expected 63 snapshots on my system) $ ls /mnt/test/stuff/.snap Now ls hangs forever and the kernel log shows the oops.

Package Linux Kernel
Published 2026-02-14
Last modified 2026-03-19
CVSS version 3.1
Patch available
Yes

CVSS 3.1 score

5.5

out of 10
Medium
Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
Low
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
Low
Integrity
None
Availability
High
Vector string
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Weakness type

CWE-476

CVE-2026-23201 is a NULL Pointer Dereference vulnerability

What is NULL Pointer Dereference?

The product dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid but is NULL, typically causing a crash. Learn more on MITRE CWE

Affected versions

Linux kernel versions 6.12.42, 6.15.10, 6.16.1, 6.17 and later are affected. Fixed in 6.12.70, 6.18.10, 6.19 and their respective stable series.

Affected from
≥ 6.12.42 ≥ 6.15.10 ≥ 6.16.1 ≥ 6.17
Fixed in
✓ 6.12.70 6.12.x ✓ 6.18.10 6.18.x ✓ 6.19

References

The following references provide additional information about CVE-2026-23201 including vendor advisories, patch commits, exploit details, and third-party analysis. Links are sourced from the NIST NVD database.

Frequently asked questions

  • What is CVE-2026-23201?

    CVE-2026-23201 is a Medium severity Linux kernel vulnerability with a CVSS score of 5.5 out of 10 , classified as a NULL Pointer Dereference flaw (CWE-476) . It affects Linux kernel versions from 6.12.42 onward and has been patched in 6.12.70, 6.18.10 and 6.19. CVE-2026-23201 has not been confirmed as actively exploited and is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.

  • What is the CVSS score for CVE-2026-23201?

    CVE-2026-23201 has a CVSS score of 5.5 out of 10, rated Medium severity (CVSS 3.1). The vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H .

  • Is there a patch available for CVE-2026-23201?

    Yes — CVE-2026-23201 has been patched. Fixed versions include 6.12.70, 6.18.10 and 6.19. If you are running Linux kernel 6.12.42 or later up to the fix versions, apply the relevant patch for your kernel branch.

  • Is CVE-2026-23201 actively exploited?

    No — CVE-2026-23201 has not been confirmed as actively exploited. It is not listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog.

  • What is NULL Pointer Dereference (CWE-476)?

    The product dereferences a pointer that it expects to be valid but is NULL, typically causing a crash. View CWE-476 on MITRE CWE →

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